Questions 31–40 Complete the notes below. Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
Why a step back is needed Increased coastal [31] __________ is one key reason. In low lying areas, there is more frequent [32] __________. Sea walls can lead to beach [33] __________.
What the strategy involves It means moving buildings away from the [34] __________. Councils may offer financial [35] __________ to residents who need to relocate. They may also control future [36] __________ in high risk zones.
Benefits It allows space for natural [37] __________ to recover. It can result in lower long term repair [38] __________.
Case study Greyhaven In Greyhaven, homes flooded each winter fell by [39] __________.
Conclusion Local [40] __________ is needed from the beginning.
Keys
31 erosion 32 flooding 33 loss 34 shoreline 35 compensation 36 development 37 habitats 38 costs 39 half 40 consultation
Transcripts
Part 4: You will hear a lecture about the shoreline step back strategy and a case study.
In today’s lecture I am going to talk about a coastal approach known as the shoreline step back strategy.
Before we look at the details, it is useful to be clear about the aim. The aim is not to stop the sea completely, because that is rarely possible over the long term. Instead, it is to reduce risk by moving what we value out of the most exposed zone. This strategy is sometimes described as planned retreat, but in practice it is more about careful timing than sudden removal. It is also a planning decision, not just an engineering one, so it involves councils, landowners, and local services.
Coasts are changing for several reasons. Rising sea levels increase coastal erosion, so cliffs and beaches wear away faster. Storms are also becoming more intense, and this leads to more frequent flooding in low lying areas. Sea walls can protect property in the short term, but they often have side effects. When waves hit a wall, sand is washed away, which can lead to beach loss. Another issue is that a hard wall can push energy along the coast, which means neighbouring areas may face worse erosion. Over time, maintenance becomes a repeating cost, and councils can end up paying again and again without solving the underlying exposure.
So what does a step back strategy involve? In simple terms, it means moving buildings away from the shoreline. This may happen gradually, as homes reach the end of their life, or more quickly after severe storms. A typical plan starts with mapping risk and setting a line beyond which rebuilding is restricted. The next step is to identify which roads and utilities are most vulnerable, because moving houses is not enough if water, power, and access routes still fail each winter. Councils usually phase the process so that disruption is spread out, and so that residents can plan ahead. In some cases the first moves are public facilities such as car parks or storage sheds, because they are easier to relocate than housing.
To make this possible, councils often provide financial compensation to residents who need to relocate. The level of compensation varies, but the basic idea is to help people move without losing everything they have invested in their home. It can also include help with legal fees, removal costs, and temporary accommodation, depending on the local scheme. Another part of the strategy is to provide clear information about timelines, because uncertainty can be as stressful as the risk itself. Councils also introduce rules to control future development in high risk zones, so the problem does not return. These rules may restrict new housing, limit extensions, or require that buildings are designed to be moved later. Planning teams often work with insurers and lenders as well, because people need to know what is likely to happen to property values over time.
There are important benefits. When buildings are moved back, there is space for natural habitats such as dunes and saltmarsh to recover. These areas absorb wave energy and act as a buffer. They also trap sediment, which can help the coast rebuild after storms, although it does not stop erosion completely. Step back can also reduce long term repair costs. Instead of repeatedly rebuilding roads and defences, councils invest once in relocation and restoration. Over a decade, that can be cheaper than constant emergency repairs, especially when storms arrive more often. However, these benefits depend on careful design, because the land must be allowed to flood safely without damaging nearby areas.
A useful example is the town of Greyhaven. Greyhaven faced repeated winter flooding, and after several expensive repairs the council decided to test a step back plan in the most exposed neighbourhood. They began by buying a small number of properties from willing residents, starting with those that had flooded most often. At the same time, they moved a short section of road inland so emergency vehicles could still reach the remaining homes. The new open area was then reshaped to support saltmarsh growth, and the council agreed not to rebuild structures close to the shoreline. After a planned relocation scheme, the number of homes flooded each winter fell by half within three years. Researchers also recorded an increase in saltmarsh plants in the restored wetland. Local surveys suggested that people were most satisfied when they had clear choices, rather than feeling pushed into a decision.
To conclude, step back strategies can be effective, but they must include local consultation from the beginning. Consultation is not a single meeting, but a process that continues as plans develop and as conditions change. People need to understand why certain areas are prioritised, what support is available, and what will happen if they decide to stay for now. Without consultation, communities may feel decisions are being forced on them, and conflict becomes more likely. A good scheme is transparent about risk, honest about limits, and practical about the steps needed to move from policy to action.
